Presentation Title
An Examination of Heart-Disease Related Prevention Measures for the Elderly in Vermont State Prisons, Focusing on Diet
Abstract
This study investigates how correctional nurses, officers, and food service employees perceive efforts made by Vermont prisons to improve the cardiovascular health of elderly prisoners through dietary measures. I analyze the specific measures that are being taken and explore interdepartmental perspectives on the effectiveness of these measures and the specific barriers that these employees face. Through analysis of primary documents and interviews this research contributes to existing literature that emphasizes the vulnerability of the elderly and the prevalence of poor diets as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in prisons, while addressing the lack of research on program effectiveness and nurses’ and interdepartmental perspectives (Arries and Maposa 2013; Carlisle 2006; Heidara et al. 2017; Loeb and Steffensmeir 2012).
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Jeanne Shea
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Dr. Jeanne Shea (Thesis Advisor)
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Anthropology
Primary Research Category
Social Sciences
An Examination of Heart-Disease Related Prevention Measures for the Elderly in Vermont State Prisons, Focusing on Diet
This study investigates how correctional nurses, officers, and food service employees perceive efforts made by Vermont prisons to improve the cardiovascular health of elderly prisoners through dietary measures. I analyze the specific measures that are being taken and explore interdepartmental perspectives on the effectiveness of these measures and the specific barriers that these employees face. Through analysis of primary documents and interviews this research contributes to existing literature that emphasizes the vulnerability of the elderly and the prevalence of poor diets as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in prisons, while addressing the lack of research on program effectiveness and nurses’ and interdepartmental perspectives (Arries and Maposa 2013; Carlisle 2006; Heidara et al. 2017; Loeb and Steffensmeir 2012).